Happy Chinese New Year, 2022

 

 It's time to celebrate the biggest party of the year that lasts a total of 15 days.  "Gong hei fat choy" translates to

Happy Chinese New Year.  Whether you celebrate it or not, tomorrow (February 1, 2022) is a new year and this year it is the Year of the Tiger.  In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year.  The Spring Festival is technically 15 days. But celebrations start on New Year’s Eve,which is tonight (making it 16 days).

I added the full number of days after I realized I had forgotten the Day of the Lantern Festival, with preparations for the Lantern Festival beginning on the 12th (this year) and ending with the Lantern Festival which falls on the 15th of February in 2022.

This is the year of the Male Earth Tiger. 

I am sorry this is a bit garish, but its hard to photograph this gold joss paper.

The other joss paper (bottom left on page) signifies the 60 different parts that make up the Chinese zodiac.  There are 12 animals and five elements (wood, fire, earth, water, metal).   Yes, 12 X 5 = 60.  Isn't math fun?

The right side of the spread shows the tiger.

Because the tiger has a face, I'm also sharing this with Erika, aka BioArtGal, our host this month at Art Journal Journey. Today is the final day to share something relating to her theme Let's Face It.  Obviously, this is my final spread using this theme.

Here are a few detail shots.

 

 

For this spread, I started by printing the tigers and the words on red copier/printer paper.  I added one gold joss paper and three circular joss papers that show the 60 ways the animals and elements can line up.  I also placed one of the tigers over the joss paper on the right.  Next, I added the three coins and the row of gifted (thanks Cindy) "German scrap" lanterns.  Finally, I added the dates of the festival using my gifted (thanks Valerie) date stamp.

Thank you beyond belief for visiting today.  Bleubeard and I are delighted you joined us and hope to see you at Art Journal Journey with your own take on Let's Face It. We also want to wish you Gong hei fat choy!